Essential Maps for the Lost

This poignant young adult novel delves into complex themes of grief, mental illness, and the search for identity. When Mads discovers a woman's body, she becomes consumed by the mystery of her suicide, leading her to Billy, the deceased woman's son. Both Mads, who feels lost and pressured by her own future, and Billy, who is navigating profound grief, find an unexpected connection. The story explores how secrets can bind and separate people, and how shared experiences, even traumatic ones, can lead to healing and self-discovery. It's a thoughtful read for teens grappling with loss or feeling adrift, offering a narrative that normalizes difficult emotions while providing a hopeful path forward.

"When Mads discovers a dead body while she's swimming in the lake, she begins to obsess over who the woman was and what led her to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge. But when she starts to fall for Billy the woman's troubled son Mads isn't sure how much longer she can keep her obsession a secret"--